Time Bank of Thrive Lake County opens Social Capital Fund

LAKEPORT -- The Social Capital Fund for the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County is now open.

The fund enables time bank members with excess hours the ability to contribute the hours to a special fund to assist other members. The fund currently accepts and distributes hours only - cash contributions and distributions are not available.

"The Social Capital Fund provides an excellent opportunity for community members in need to get help," John Saare, North Lake and technical coordinator for the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County, said. "Now there can be one less barrier between members with critical needs and those who may be able to help. Also, there are those who just want to volunteer and not receive any hours for themselves. This fund allows them to magnify their service contribution."

The time bank uses the complementary currency of hours to enable members to exchange services, Carol Cole-Lewis, Thrive Lake County coordinator and time bank project coordinator, stated. Every hour is valued the same, regardless of the service performed.

"People have refrained from joining the time bank because they have physical, financial or other challenges, which truly limit their ability to give back. We hope this fund goes some way toward removing this barrier toward membership and to help meet the deepest needs of Lake County residents," Cole-Lewis stated.

Any time bank member is eligible to apply for hours from the Social Capital Fund.

Time bank membership is open to any Lake County resident, business or organization. Office locations include 307 N. Main St. in Lakeport, open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. most weekdays, and the Clearlake Food Pantry, located at 14832 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

The next free-of-charge orientation for new and prospective members is on Feb. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Dancing Tree People Farm, located at 1445 Pitney Lane in Upper Lake.

For information about Time Bank of Thrive Lake County, visit timebanklakeco.org, or call 413-0220.